Senior Bowl and NFL draft class loaded with transfers from Penix to Nix to Schrader

Former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws the ball during practice for the National team at Hancock Whitney Stadium Jan. 31 in Mobile, Alabama.

MOBILE, Ala. — Quarterbacks Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix became Heisman finalists after heading to other schools. Cody Schrader went from Division II to Southeastern Conference stardom.

They’re far from alone at the Senior Bowl, where a number of NFL prospects transferred at least once to enhance their situation and/or draft stock. That includes five of the seven quarterbacks on the roster.

None have more experience mastering new offenses than Nix, who became a star passer and potential first-round NFL draft pick after transferring from Auburn to Oregon.

“With five offenses in five years, five different play callers, I’ve been around the block,” Nix said ahead of Saturday’s game. “I’ve been able to learn from a lot of different people.

“I think just along the way, I picked up a lot from each individual and grew each time and got a lot of experience.”

Penix had each of his four seasons at Indiana cut short by injuries: torn ACLs in 2018 and 2020 and shoulder injuries in 2019 and 2021.

He led the nation in passing in both of his seasons at Washington. Penix guided the Huskies to the national championship game and finished second in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind another transfer quarterback, LSU’s Jayden Daniels, and one spot ahead of NIx.

In the process, Penix elevated his draft stock to a potential first- or second-rounder.

“All he’s been through has prepared him mentally for this type of scenario,” former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer, who left for Alabama after the championship game, said Wednesday. “The pressure is the pressure, but he has the confidence that he’s going to be just fine if he just does what he’s capable of each and every…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/senior-bowl-nfl-draft-class-235226882.html

Author : The Register-Guard

Publish date : 2024-01-31 23:52:26

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